BRETT Holman gave Brisbane fans an exciting glimpse of what they can expect during the A-League season with an impressive cameo in the Roar’s 3-1 win over an NPL Queensland under-23 select squad on Saturday.
In his first appearance in Roar colours, former Socceroos star Holman was commanding during his 45 minutes on the park at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
The ex-Aston Villa attacking midfielder ran the show, getting on the ball with ease and feeding the likes of Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos in the Roar’s dominant first-half display.
Brisbane led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Thomas Broich and Maclaren, who was set up by Holman.
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READ NOW“We know what Brett’s like – he’s going to be really good for us,” Roar coach John Aloisi said.
“You could see that once he got into the game we’re a team that’s going to cause issues for anyone. He’s got that eye for goal, but also that last pass, that combination and also when he loses the ball, he regains it quickly.
“It was good to see Brett play 45 minutes.”
The Roar weren’t as dominant in the second half without Holman, with the NPLQ representative outfit pegging a goal back in the 58th minute after some slack defending allowed striker Joe Duckworth the time and space to find the back of the net.
Maclaren’s second of the match with seven minutes remaining restored Brisbane’s two-goal advantage but the NPLQ side were far from disgraced against the three-time A-League champions.
The Roar’s afternoon was somewhat soured in the dying stages when midfielder Jacob Pepper – who started the match instead of Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen – was sent off for a second bookable offence.
“I didn’t think that the referee needed to book him (Pepper). There were other things that went on during the game that she let go … I think it was unnecessary,” Aloisi said.
“At least he’s not suspended.”
Kristensen, who played for 45 minutes in the Roar’s 4-0 trial win over Perth Glory last Tuesday, was a late withdrawal after feeling tight in the warm-up.
But Aloisi was confident the Dane would be fit for the Roar’s A-League opener against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.
Limping Roar skipper Matt McKay was replaced in the second half yesterday, but he too is expected to be fit for the Victory’s visit, along with Brandon Borrello (flu), Tommy Oar (groin) and Corey Brown (flu), who all took no part in Saturday’s clash.